By Hub City Times staff

MARSHFIELD – Marshfield Board of Education members, teachers, parents, and community members got a chance to hear from the two finalists for school superintendent, during a forum held May 2 at the 2^nd Street Community Center.

Ryan Christianson and Tony Brazouski each gave a 20-minute public presentation, before the Board of Education reviewed both candidates in a closed session meeting.

Brazouski grew up in Chicago, and currently lives in the village of Eagle in Waukesha County. He’s been an English teacher, staff developer, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and chief academic officer, but wants to take that next step into being a school superintendent.

“The main reason why I am here is my family,” he said. “I talked to the interview committee about why I was interested in Marshfield. Being a superintendent is not a job, it’s a lifestyle, and so my kids and my family are No. 1 in my life, and they are my why. For me, looking at Marshfield, looking at the school district (and) what it offers, the reputation that it has, and the area itself; for me, that’s my why.

“I want my children to be involved in the school district where I would be involved, throughout my lifetime; that’s what it is really all about.”

Marshfield School Superintendent candidate Ryan Christianson presents to the public during the May 9 forum. Hub City Times staff photo

Christianson, meanwhile, is a former Marshfield science teacher, which was his first job out of college at UW-Madison. He has since moved onto Wisconsin Rapids, where he has served as the Human Resources director since 2012. Before that, he served as an associate principal and eventually principal at Lincoln High School.

Christianson said a main goal of his as superintendent would be to cultivating positive, collaborative, and supportive school climates and learning communities among the district’s teachers and community members.

“As superintendent of schools, that means building relationships with all stakeholders throughout the community and throughout the school district that are involved,” Christianson stated. “When it comes to people in the building, our staff in the building, I believe that involves promoting the purpose behind our instruction with kids and empowering our staff to make a difference. They need to feel that empowerment and that support from their superintendent of schools in order to do the great work that we depend upon them to do with our students in the classrooms, and our school buildings, on a daily basis.”

The public presentations were among the final steps of the interview process, after the Marshfield School Board and three advisory committees completed initial interviews on May 7.

The candidates will participate in finalist interviews on May 14 at 5 p.m. with District administrators and 6 p.m. with the Board of Education.

The chosen candidate will start July 1, and will replace Dee Wells, who announced her retirement earlier this year. Wells has been with the Marshfield School District for four years.